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Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 9/2023

29-06-2023 | Migraine | Episodic Migraine (S Parikh, Section Editor)

Episodic Migraine and Psychiatric Comorbidity: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Authors: Alexis George, Mia T. Minen

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 9/2023

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We evaluate the evolving evidence of psychiatric comorbidities associated with episodic migraine. Utilizing recent research publications, we aim to assess traditional treatment option considerations and discuss recent and evolving non-pharmacologic treatment progress for episodic migraine and related psychiatric conditions.

Recent Findings

Recent findings indicate that episodic migraine is strongly linked to comorbid depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders. Not only do patients with episodic migraine have higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, but a higher number of headache days reported is also strongly linked to an increased risk of developing a psychiatric disorder, indicating there may be a link between frequency and psychiatric comorbidity and that patients with high-frequency episodic migraine should be assessed for psychiatric comorbidity. Few migraine preventive medications have examined the effect of the medication on both migraine and psychiatric comorbidity though we discuss what has been reported in the literature. Non-pharmacologic-based treatments including behavioral therapies and mind–body interventions previously developed for psychiatric conditions, e.g., mindfulness-based CBT (MBCT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy, have promising results for patients diagnosed with episodic migraine and may therefore be useful in treating migraine and comorbid psychiatric conditions.

Summary

Psychiatric comorbidity may affect the efficacy of the treatment of episodic migraine. Thus, we must assess for psychiatric comorbidities to inform better treatment plans for patients. Providing patients with episodic migraine with alternate modalities of treatment may help to improve patient-centered care and increase patients’ sense of self-efficacy.
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Metadata
Title
Episodic Migraine and Psychiatric Comorbidity: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors
Alexis George
Mia T. Minen
Publication date
29-06-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 9/2023
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01123-4

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